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a republican? It is believed that these questions must be answered favorably; but, if not, both officers and systems, in the way of reform, will require the corrective application of your constitutional power. It is due all the officers with whom I have been immediately associated to acknowledge a high respect for their efforts to promote the public good. Regarding more particularly the objects of the administration of the past year, the prescriptions to the Executive by your immediate predecessors stand conspicuous, The wisdom displayed will not only command a grateful recollection hereafter, but is evidently approved at present, as is attested by the presence of so large a portion of the members of the last legislature. The proof of zeal and fidelity in the execution of what that distinguished body prescribed is to be found, if at all, in these documents, now respectfully submitted to your examination. There will be found among them the proper reports relating to two objects of internal improvement, the Kennebec and Houlton roads, which are of primary consequence, and not only demanded by existing wants, but which must gradually grow in importance and utility. They are adverted to now, because all that has been done in regard to them has been simply in the way of preparation, and much is still required for the effectuation of the object. As a responsible representative of the people, having no other opportunity of advancing the opinions I entertain, I must beg leave to refer this consideration, connected with the proposed location of the seat of government, to your serious deliberation. It relates only to the method of accomplishing the purposes which, eventually, will require of the people that exertion of liberality which seems to be imposed on those who are founding great establishments, more for the benefit of their descendants than of themselves. Debts, with individuals or States, too commonly result in the evils of insolvency, and however plausible the argument may be that future generations ought to have imposed